Transport Ministry to Upgrade Railway Networks at Laem Chabang

Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said that the railway network upgrade at the Laem Chabang Port is making significant progress. 

Under the project, six double-track rail lines will be built to connect the Klongtoei Port with the Laem Chabang Port and Chachoengsao Province. 

Mr. Charupong stated that the expansion will help improve the efficiency of Thailand's cargo transport capability, as it will be able to accommodate up to 12 trains, or a total of 12 million cars per year. The current system handles around 5.8 million cars per year. 

The Transport Minister added that the Ministry is now working on the expansion of roads between the Laem Chabang Port and the main highways, and planning the construction of the extended part of the Burapha Withi elevated road to link the existing system with Laem Chabang and Map Ta Phut. 

He said that all of the construction works will save Thailand's total transportation costs by two percent after  completion in 2013. 

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan said that the development of the Dawei (formerly know as Tavoy) deep-sea port and industrial estate projects on the western border will not have any impact on the operations of the Laem Chabang eastern deep-sea port. 

Mr. Chatchart stated that goods leaving the Dawei projects are mainly from such heavy industries as metal and coal, while the Laem Chabang Port is known as the hub of automotive shipment. Therefore, he believes that both ports will not be directly competing.